| Psychologists play a vital role
in the successful treatment of eating disorders and are integral
members of the multidisciplinary team that may be required to
provide patient care. As part of this treatment, a physician
may be called on to rule out medical illnesses and determine
that the patient is not in immediate physical danger. A nutritionist
may be asked to help assess and improve nutritional intake.
Once the psychologist has identified important issues that
need attention and developed a treatment plan, he or she helps
the patient replace destructive thoughts and behaviors with
more positive ones. A psychologist and patient might work
together to focus on health rather than weight, for example.
Or a patient might keep a food diary as a way of becoming
more aware of the types of situations that trigger binging.
Simply changing patients' thoughts and behaviors is not enough,
however. To ensure lasting improvement, psychologists and
patients must work together to explore the psychological issues
underlying the eating disorder. Psychotherapy may need to
focus on improving patients' personal relationships. And it
may involve helping patients get beyond an event or situation
that triggered the disorder in the first place. Group therapy
also may be helpful.
Some patients, especially those with bulimia, may benefit
from medication. It's important to remember, however, that
medication should be used in combination with psychotherapy,
not as a replacement for it. Patients who are advised to take
medication should be aware of possible side effects and the
need for close supervision by a physician. |
